Case Study 1 - Mould and Decay
Mould growth and residual was found on the lower part of the interior bay window during this house inspection. An examination of the carpet revealed evidence of decay and a musty odour. A section of carpet underlay was removed and dead insects and decay of the corner section of the particle sheet flooring was found. The problem had been caused by faulty window seals and inadequately fixed exterior flashing. When it rained, these defects allowed ingress of water on the inside of the window pane to seep downwards and penetrate the particle flooring. This had caused the flooring to swell and the carpet to rot.
Case Study 2 - Timber Rot and Dampness
The house inspection revealed conspicuous evidence of timber rot and water staining on the bottom of bracing ply face nailed to an exterior and load bearing wall in the garage. The moisture meter indicated high elevated levels of dampness. The sheet of bracing ply was subsequently removed and the bottom timber plate was found to have serious rot. Some decay had also occurred on the bottom ends of timber studs the bottom plate was nailed to. This defect had been caused by a faulty garage door seal which had caused wind-driven rain to accumulate on the surface of the garage concrete floor and penetrate underneath and against the floor plate. To rectify the problem, all defective timber and bracing ply was removed and subsequently replaced. The bottom plate was rebolted to the concrete slab foundation and a new seal fitted to the garage door.
Case Study 3 - Contaminated Water Supply
This roof storage tank (header tank) formed part of a low pressure plumbing system for a rural water supply. The tank was located on a flat roof and was without a proper close-fitting cover and seismic restraints. Birds had used the ball valve lever as a perch to drink from. Birds had fouled the water over a period of time. Two had become trapped and drowned. The tank was also open to atmospheric contamination. The water supply was tested and found to hold high levels of potentially harmful bacteria. The system was subsequently drained, cleaned, and disinfected prior to reuse. The tank was also fitted with a proper cover and seismic restraints.
Case Study 4 - Rodents
During the house inspection, water was discovered dripping from ceiling gib linings servicing a habitable room. A section of ceiling lining was removed. The water was found to be leaking from a perforated section of damaged plastic cold water supply pipe. Close examination of the pipe revealed the defect had been caused by rodents (rats) gnawing through the wall of the pipe to access water. Rat droppings were found in the ceiling space cavity. The pipe was repaired by a plumber. Rodent abatement was undertaken immediately and rat proofing measures were introduced.
Case Study 5 - Contaminating Sewage Discharge
This health nuisance was discovered during the inspection of a septic tank system servicing a house in the rural sector. The inspection revealed the septic tank was overloaded with household sewage and the outflow pipe to the effluent disposal field had blocked. This blockage caused sewage waste to surcharge onto the surrounding ground and accumulate in an adjacent drainage trench. The threat to human health was very real. The tank was subsequently desludged (pumped out) and the faulty pipe repaired. The sanitary efficiency of this on site sewage system was also improved. An effluent filter unit was installed inside the tank (Outflow connector) to screen out the solid particles and protect the effluent disposal field from being overloaded with solid waste material. The non pressurised effluent disposal fields were also upgraded to extend the trench life and eliminate progressive soakage failure.
Case Study 6 - Defective flashings
The house inspection revealed evidence of water staining was found on internal vertical TG & V timber linings (rimu) fixed above a ranch slider. The defect has been caused by rain water penetrating through the fixed exterior sheathing and framing of the house because of poor and inadequately fixed exterior head (lintel) metal flashing for the ranch slider. The flashing had also been overlapped and incorrectly sealed. The defective flashing for the ranch slider was subsequently removed and replaced with metal flashing cut to measure and snug fitted to ensure water tightness. The damage TG & V wall linings were replaced. Fortunately no evidence of rot was found inside the timber wall framing and exterior sheathing.
Please note: All information and images on this page are copyright. Please Contact Us to seek approval to use.